1
as in to stoop
to descend to a level that is beneath one's dignity
I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race
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2
as in to patronize
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations
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Recent Examples of condescend
Which left two of its longtime fans on the TIME culture team feeling a bit disappointed and condescended to.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
The twins, who’ve made some cash working in Chicago for Al Capone, buy an old sawmill from a condescending white man named Hogwood (David Maldonado), who promises the KKK is no longer around these parts, so they won’t be bothered.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
What the narrator has to get away from is the assortment of low-grade humiliations and condescending attitudes she is confronted with every day while clocked in at the restaurant.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Being a Hollywood romantic (and deeply insecure), Remick can’t help himself when his fellow gala attendees condescend to him.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Judy Berman, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
The twins, who’ve made some cash working in Chicago for Al Capone, buy an old sawmill from a condescending white man named Hogwood (David Maldonado), who promises the KKK is no longer around these parts, so they won’t be bothered.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
What the narrator has to get away from is the assortment of low-grade humiliations and condescending attitudes she is confronted with every day while clocked in at the restaurant.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Being a Hollywood romantic (and deeply insecure), Remick can’t help himself when his fellow gala attendees condescend to him.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
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The Padres have done such a good job of not stooping to their opponent’s level when the opponent was of a clearly lesser quality.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2025
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Dealing with rude colleagues isn’t about stooping to their level but preserving your professionalism.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That admittedly basic concept—that Deaf people don’t need hearing people worrying about or patronizing them—is one of the key themes of the film.—
John Hendrickson,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
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Young people are hosting home cafés, making their own cappuccinos and iced matchas in lieu of patronizing coffee shops.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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